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October 27, 2021By Carissa Krautscheid
Yuma, Arizona, is home to three fine Catholic schools that have been thriving for several years under the leadership of strong principals and administrators.
Yuma Catholic High School provides a strong education to 490 students, a noticeable increase from their past enrollment of 300. The school hopes to reach a capacity of 600 students and is discussing a campaign to add the necessary classrooms.
Principal Rhett Stallworth and Sheryl Gerber, Assistant Principal of Curriculum, share what makes Yuma Catholic special. “Our faculty, staff, administration, students, and families strive to fulfill Yuma Catholic High School’s mission to bring students to Christ, to prepare students for college, and to develop students through service to the community.”
The Catholic faith is an integral part of student life at Yuma Catholic High School. The high school has a formation program to prepare students to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at their parishes. Faculty and staff “keep Christ at the forefront by beginning all classes with prayer. Due to the nature of the pandemic, extraordinary effort and creativity ensured that our Catholic identity continues to be a key component of our learning community even though we cannot gather as an entire student body. Our school-wide, daily prayer is currently being conducted virtually and students attend Mass in small grade-level groups.”
Yuma Catholic’s administration shared, “An important aspect of Catholic education is the centrality of community and the fostering of relationships. Our students contributed to the community as they earned 8,958 hours of service. The Shamrock community is a partnership that is built on prayer and service to others.”
“YCHS is proud to provide a comprehensive educational program to meet the needs of all students including on-level, Honors, and Dual Enrollment courses. Our students benefit from a highly robust and diverse offering of 28 Dual Enrollment courses taught on our campus. Last year, our students earned 2,684 college credit hours. This program continues to grow in the number of courses offered, the number of students earning college credits, and the number of students graduating high school with their associates degree. Our students continue to set the bar high as they are accepted to prestigious colleges and to earn scholarships. The 86 students in the Class of 2021 earned over $12.6 million in scholarships and 90% of our graduates earned scholarships.”
Last year, 15 students graduated from Yuma Catholic High School with an associate degree. This year, 30 students are on track to earn their associates degree before even finishing high school.
“Yuma’s two Catholic elementary schools are also doing well with increased enrollment and strong leadership,” praised Sheri Dahl, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools. “Yuma may be the ‘wild west,’ but we have three of the best sheriffs in town out there!”
Immaculate Conception Catholic School and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School are dedicated to the holistic formation and faith development of their students.
Principal Veronica Lopez shared, “St. Francis School is a beautiful learning community that represents love to all we encounter. I am most proud of our Catholic Identity and how our staff and students work diligently to live God’s will by creating a loving and peaceful environment. We are always working to growing in the image and likeness of God and to become beacons of hope for all!”
The St. Francis school community is committed to living their Student Learning Expectations, the Gospel Values, their ‘I Promise Prayer,’ and their Mission Statement.
Principal Grisell Diaz has steered Immaculate Conception Catholic School through the pandemic. “What I am most proud of is how we pull together as a team to meet the needs of not only our students but also our community. These past few years have been a challenge; however, they gave us the opportunity to grow together and integrate each other's strengths into one common goal.”
Mrs. Diaz hopes that the school will continue growing spiritually and “holistically as a community of individuals who have the students' best interest at heart. To form well rounded individuals, we need to take care of both their academic and personal needs and goals.”
The Catholic faith is integral at all of Yuma’s Catholic schools.
“As a professional community,” Mrs. Diaz elaborates, “we come together every morning to pray in order to start our day with God's grace and blessings. Furthermore, our staff tries to exemplify our expectations in order to be role models for our students. Our Student Learning Expectations are at the core of every lesson and activity. Even though we have not been able to come together as a whole community physically, we do carry out activities such as praying the Rosary virtually to include everyone. We are proud of our accomplishments, our willingness to move forward, and be in the company of two other great Catholic schools in the Yuma area.”
Sheri Dahl expressed her sincere gratitude to the three principals and their schools. “As I told them,” she said, “‘Your schools are certainly not void of challenges, but it is how those challenges are addressed that determines a good leader. You each, in your own ways, possess what it takes to unapologetically do what needs to be done for the benefit of the students you serve. And your work is bearing fruit.’”